Madonna
Lucky Star 7''
Sire
1983
Rating: 8 tweeter followers out of 10
This is still my favorite Madonna song. That may sound like I'm not saying much, and for sure most of her catalog is pretty blah, but I have always loved this track. I've never even listened to the b-side.
Pat Benatar
Love is a Battlefield 7''
Chrysalis
1983
Rating: 9 deep pits out of 10
The most perfect Pat Benatar release IMO - both of her best songs in one spot. The title track is a given, and if you don't know this song by now you've been living under a rock. I find it still really holds up. The flip is a live version of the vastly underrated "Hell Is for Children," probably her best song - and it's a great live recording. I don't keep a lot of 45s from the eighties, but this one is worth holding onto.
Shalamar / Gary U.S. Bonds
Deadline U.S.A. / D.C. Cab
Music from the Original Motion Picture Soundtrack "D.C. Cab"
MCA
1983
Rating: 5 mohawks out of 10
D.C. Cab remains the greatest movie of all time that stars Mr. T, Gary Busey and Bill Maher. I dare you to find me a better one. I watched this movie way more times than is probably healthy as a kid. Subsequently, I not only own the full length soundtrack, but this 45 as well. The Shalamar song is still kinda awesome, and produced by Giorgio Moroder! Very, VERY eighties sounding. I just listened to the Gary U.S. Bonds side and have already forgotten it.
Frank Stallone
Far from Over 7''
RSO
1983
Rating: 5 disco ducks out of 10
I can't remember why or where I picked up a lot of my short players, but I really REALLY don't know how I ended up with this Frank Stallone record. The title track is the theme song to the "Saturday Night Fever" follow-up "Staying Alive." The song is as cheeseball early eighties synth-dance pop as the movie, and you've certainly hear it many times before if you're my age, even if you didn't know Stallone sang it. It's somehow terrible and enjoyable at the same time. The b-side track is...who cares.
